THE NATIONAL Department of Public Works has awarded a R20-million contract for the development of the Qunu Youth and Heritage Centre - one of three sites of the Nelson Mandela Museum. The other three are at Bhunga, Mvezo and Qunu. This was announced by Dr Ben Ngubane, Minister of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology, at the second anniversary of the Nelson Mandela Museum on Monday, February 11. "This will be at the site given by the people of Qunu and their Chief Ah Nokwanele, where Madiba turned the sod two years ago." In his speech, Ngubane said the construction of the Qunu component of the Museum - which will take 21 months to complete - will complement the "very significant" outdoor cultural sites in the area - the ruins of the church school where the young Nelson grew up, the sliding stone and the swimming place where the ex-SA president played. The Qunu Youth and Heritage Centre will also offer an opportunity for local community crafters to display and sell their wares. Ngubane also said that the Mvezo site was earmarked for expansion of its current outdoor exhibition and an enhanced site interpretation plan. The pending road upgrade to Mvezo will further significantly enhance visitor access, he said. Background to museum: After his release from Robben Island, Nelson Mandela as the first democratically elected President of South Africa, received a significant number of gifts from the South African and the international community in recognition and appreciation for the role he has played in the struggle for peace, freedom and democracy in South Africa and the world. In accepting the gifts, President Mandela indicated that he did so on behalf of all of the people of South Africa and further expressed the wish that the gifts be kept in safekeeping for the benefit and appreciation of the nation, at or near his home village, Qunu in the Eastern Cape. The Department of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology (DACST), as a part of the Legacy Project, was tasked with responsibility for the establishment of a museum to fulfil this purpose. The museum comprises three interrelated components, namely: An open-air display and heritage centre in Mveso, which marks the birthplace of Mr Mandela. And here in Qunu, the Nelson Mandela Youth and Heritage Centre; a community cultural centre and tourist facilities, are being developed in phases. A museum in Umtata, which houses the awards and gifts, as well as an exhibition of the life of Nelson Mandela, based on his autobiography, "Long Walk to Freedom". The quotes taken from his autobiography contextualise the freedom struggle in South Africa, and the historical elements which has shaped not only Nelson Mandela, but also the history of this country and its people. Job creation and economic development opportunities for the people of Qunu and the surrounding communities has been a primary concern in the conceptualisation of the project. The Centre at Qunu involves the establishment of a Visitor Information and Display Centre situated at the entrance, which is currently under construction. Guides stationed at the Visitor Information and Display Centre will provide information and guided tours around the interesting historical and cultural sites in and around the village. The second phase development of the museum component in Qunu involves the establishment of the Nelson Mandela Youth and Heritage Centre, and the Qunu Community Museum. The objective is to establish appropriate facilities for a Youth and Heritage Centre, as well as a community based museum in Qunu, so as to serve the needs of the community, as well as visitors, as an integral part of the Nelson Mandela Museum project. The project aims to remind us of the legacy of Nelson Mandela, to tell the story of his struggle and his life, to exhibit the local history, and to encourage development and business in the area, especially that connected with tourism. The Nelson Mandela Youth and Heritage Centre is conceptualised as an integral part of the Nelson Mandela Museum and is intended to provide a living and lasting legacy to Nelson Mandela in the area of his birth and his youth. The project will also address the constituency that is perhaps the closest to the heart of the Nelson Mandela, namely children. The buildings will be situated within viewing distance of Nelson Mandela’s home in Qunu. Much of what Nelson Mandela describes about his upbringing in Qunu in his autobiography Long Walk to Freedom is still a part of every day life in Qunu. The primary aim of the project will be to enable children and youth from all over South Africa (and especially disadvantaged children) to experience and enjoy rural life, and benefit from the experience, in the way Nelson Mandela did as a young boy. This will be achieved by establishing youth camp type accommodation facilities at Qunu so that youth can spend their school holidays there and participate in structured activities and programmes. The camp would accommodate overnight and shorter visits by school groups as well as longer visits during school holidays. Youth from all over South Africa will live, work, learn and play together for the duration of the camp. The education and recreation programmes and activities will aim to equip youth with leadership and life-skills, instil in the youth a sense of civic and community awareness, and engender an understanding and appreciation of nature and the environment. The activities will also aim to instil a pride, awareness and appreciation of indigenous customs, culture and heritage; and also create an awareness, appreciation and sensitivity to the challenges and hardships facing rural communities amongst urban youth. The Nelson Mandela Youth and Heritage Centre will function as the primary educational focus and facility for the entire Museum. The Qunu Community Museum is intended primarily to serve and benefit the people of Qunu. The facility will enable the display of exhibitions describing the early life of Nelson Mandela in Qunu, descriptions of Xhosa culture, customs, history, governance, the history of Transkei, Qunu and its environs. The display will be designed so as to complement the exhibition and content of the museum component in Umtata. The facilities will also accommodate a number of economic development and job creation activities including craft production, sewing, etc. It is intended that visitors to the museum in Umtata will visit the Centre in Qunu as an integral part of the museum experience. A number of complementary activities and programmes, including traditional dance, story telling, historical hikes and trails, will be arranged and run by members of the Qunu community as an added attraction. The Nelson Mandela Museum is the first national museum to be established in a rural community in South Africa.